Thread winding device

Abstract

Thread winding device (1) which has: a bearing section (20) designed to rotatably support a support (L) and to be movable in the axial direction of the support (L); and a screw winding head (40) designed to wind a plurality of fiber bundles (F) onto the axially moving substrate (L) as it rotates; the screw winding head (40) contains: a plurality of fiber bundle guides (52) arranged circumferentially of the substrate (L) and designed to guide each of a plurality of fiber bundles (F) supplied by the screw winding head (40) to the substrate (L), and an opening element (60) which is arranged downstream of the plurality of fiber bundle guides (52) in the direction of travel of the fiber bundle (F) and includes an inner circumferential surface (61) for forming a hole (62) through which the plurality of fiber bundles (F) are inserted from one side to the other in the axial direction; wherein a plurality of opening surfaces (66), to which the plurality of fiber bundles (F) running from one side to the other in the axial direction make contact and which act on the fiber bundles (F) in a flattening and spreading manner, are formed on the inner circumferential surface (61) of the opening element (60); and wherein a cross-sectional shape of each opening surface (66) is linear in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction; characterized in that Each opening surface (66) has a curved shape in which the distance to the center in the radial direction of the inner circumferential surface decreases from one side to the other end side in the axial direction and is convex towards the center in the radial direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a thread winding device designed to wind a bundle of fibers around a substrate according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2. 2. Description of the related technology

[0002] Japanese unexamined patent application No. JP 2004-314550 A discloses a thread winding device designed to wind a plurality of fiber bundles around a substrate. The thread winding device includes a bearing section designed to rotatably support a substrate and allow movement in the axial direction of the substrate, and a screw winding head designed to perform helical winding on the substrate (winding a fiber bundle in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction of the substrate).

[0003] The screw winding head contains a plurality of fiber bundle guides designed to guide each of the plurality of fiber bundles to the substrate, as well as a spreader guide with an inner circumferential surface for spreading (i.e., opening) a width of the plurality of fiber bundles guided by the plurality of fiber bundle guides. The inner circumferential surface of the spreader guide is circular when viewed from the axial direction. The fiber bundle runs while making contact with the inner circumferential surface of the spreader guide, so that it rubs against the inner circumferential surface of the spreader guide and opens.

[0004] As described in Japanese unexamined patent publication No. JP 2004-314550 A, if the inner circumferential surface of the spreading guide is circular (i.e., a curved line around the entire circumference), the fiber bundle makes contact with an arc-shaped section, and therefore the fiber bundle is less likely to flatten out, even if it rubs and opens, and it is less likely to spread out in the lateral direction (circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface). Therefore, if the majority of fiber bundles are wound around the substrate, a gap can easily form between the fiber bundles in the circumferential direction, potentially reducing the strength of the substrate.

[0005] A thread winding device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 2008 / 0197229 A1. The fiber bundle flattening and spreading arrangement according to this prior art comprises, for each fiber bundle, a separate guide for spreading the fiber bundle with two rollers, which interact with the respective fiber bundle. The fiber bundle spreading guides are mounted on a guide ring section of the thread winding device, each guide being associated with a respective guide hole of the guide ring section through which the respective fiber bundle is fed to be fed past the rollers onto the substrate.

[0006] Another thread winding device to which the preamble of claim 1 could be read is known from US 2002 / 0139430 A1. A screw winding head, referred to as a helical winding head, is provided with a first helical spreading section having first annular grooves and with a second helical spreading section having second annular grooves. In operation, the second grooves interact with the first grooves, and the fiber bundles run radially between the first and second helical spreading sections, so that the first and second annular grooves act on the fiber bundles from both axial sides.

[0007] US 2009 / 0126875 A1 discloses a thread winding device with a helical winding head comprising two guide rings. The guide rings are provided with guide tubes arranged at equal intervals along a circumferential direction of the guide rings. In the helical winding process, the fiber bundles are fed to the substrate via one of the guide tubes at a time. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a thread winding device which has a mechanically simpler fiber bundle flattening and spreading arrangement which nevertheless makes it possible to easily spread the width of the fiber bundle during opening.

[0009] In the present invention, this problem is solved in a thread winding device according to the preambles of claims 1 and 2 by providing that each opening surface has a curved shape in which the distance to the center in the radial direction of the inner circumferential surface decreases from one side to the other end in the axial direction and is convex towards the center in the radial direction, or that the inner circumferential surface has a polygonal shape when viewed from the axial direction; each side of the polygon configures each opening surface; and that a number of the plurality of opening surfaces is equal to a number of the plurality of fiber bundle guides, and that each opening surface has a curved shape in which the distance to a center in the radial direction of the inner circumferential surface decreases and is convex towards the center in the radial direction from one side to the other in the axial direction.

[0010] A particular embodiment of the invention is described in dependent claim 3. In this embodiment, a regulating section, designed to regulate movement of the fiber bundle in the circumferential direction, is provided between two opening surfaces adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the thread winding device comprises a fiber bundle flattening and spreading arrangement and an opening element. The opening element is arranged downstream of the plurality of fiber bundle guides in the direction of travel of the fiber bundle and includes an inner circumferential surface for forming a hole through which the plurality of fiber bundles are inserted from one side to the other in the axial direction. A plurality of opening surfaces, to which the plurality of fiber bundles running from one side to the other in the axial direction make contact and which act on the fiber bundles in a flattening and spreading manner, are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the opening element; and the cross-sectional shape of each opening surface is linear in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of each opening surface.

[0012] In the first aspect, the majority of fiber bundles are guided to the substrate by the majority of fiber bundle guides and the majority of opening surfaces of the opening element. As the substrate passes the screw winding head during rotation, the fiber bundle, which runs axially from one side to the other, is opened by making contact with the opening surface and is wound around the substrate. In the present invention, the cross-sectional shape is linear and orthogonal to the axial direction of the opening surface. Therefore, the fiber bundle, which comes into contact with the opening surface while running axially, can be flattened, and each fiber bundle can be spread out significantly in the lateral direction. Thus, the width of the fiber bundle can be easily spread during opening.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the thread winding device, the inner circumferential surface, when viewed from the axial direction, has a polygonal shape; each side of the polygon configures each opening surface; and a number of the plurality of opening surfaces equals a number of the plurality of fiber bundle guides.

[0014] In the second aspect, each side of the polygon formed in the inner circumferential surface constitutes each opening surface, and therefore the entire inner circumferential surface can be used as an opening surface. Thus, the opening surface can be made as large as possible in the circumferential direction, and the fiber bundle can be spread as far as possible during opening. Furthermore, because the number of opening surfaces and the number of fiber bundle guides are equal, the number of opening surfaces and the number of fiber bundles can correspond one-to-one. Therefore, a fiber bundle can rub against an opening surface. Consequently, the majority of fiber bundles can be laid without creating a gap in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface, and the majority of fiber bundles can be easily and evenly wound around the substrate.Furthermore, since the majority of fiber bundles do not need to rub together with an opening surface, it is possible to avoid the fiber bundles interfering with each other.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the thread winding device of the first or second aspect, each opening surface has a curved shape in which the distance to the center in the radial direction of the inner circumferential surface decreases from one side to the other end side in the axial direction and is convex towards the center in the radial direction.

[0016] If the opening has a corner, the fiber bundle could rub against the corner and be damaged. In the third aspect, the fiber bundle can be laid smoothly along the opening with a curved, convex shape towards the center in the radial and axial directions. Therefore, damage to the fiber bundle can be avoided.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the thread winding device of one of the first to third aspects, a regulating section is provided between two opening surfaces adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, which is designed to regulate a movement of the fiber bundle in the circumferential direction.

[0018] In the fourth aspect, circumferential displacement of the fiber bundle by the regulating section can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the majority of fiber bundles from being wrapped around the substrate as they move from the target position, and if the majority of fiber bundles are wrapped around the substrate, it is possible to prevent some fiber bundles from unintentionally overlapping or from forming a gap in the circumferential direction between the fiber bundles.

[0019] The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a thread winding device according to the present embodiment; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a winding device; Fig. 3 is a block diagram representing an electrical configuration of the thread winding device; Fig. 4 is a front view of an upper side section of a screw winding unit; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line VV of Fig. 4; Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic view of a voltage application section; Fig. 7A is a perspective view of an opening element, and Fig. 7B is an enlarged view of an opening area; Fig. 8A is a rear view of the opening element, and Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view along line VIII(b)-VIII(b) of Fig. 8A; Fig. Figure 9A is a view showing the opening element and the fiber bundle opened by the opening element according to the invention; Fig. 9B is a view showing the opening element and the fiber bundle opened by the opening element in accordance with the prior art; and Fig. Figure 10 is a side view of a screw winding unit according to an alternative design.

[0020] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without deviating from the scope of the claims of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is therefore to be determined exclusively by the following claims.

[0021] Now, an embodiment of the present invention is described with regard to the Fig. 1 to 9 described. The in Fig. The directions shown are, for simplicity, front and back, and left and right. A direction orthogonal to front and back, left and right is an up and down direction, upon which gravity acts. [Schematic configuration of the thread winding device]

[0022] First, a schematic configuration of a thread winding device 1 is shown based on Fig. 1 described. The thread winding device 1 includes a winding device 2, a creel stand 3 and a control panel 4.

[0023] The winding device 2 is designed to wind a fiber bundle around a substrate L. The fiber bundle consists, for example, of a thermosetting resin material impregnated with a fiber material, such as carbon fiber. The substrate L, which serves as the winding target for the fiber bundle, has, for example, a cylindrical shape. Details of the winding device 2 will be described later.

[0024] The creel stand 3 is designed to feed the fiber bundle to a screw winding unit 40, which will be described later. The creel stand 3 includes a support frame 11 and a plurality of spool bearing sections 12, which are supported on the support frame 11. The support frame 11 is arranged substantially symmetrically, and an assembly space 13, where part of the winding device 2 is located, is formed on a central section in the left-and-right direction of the support frame 11 (a representation of details in the assembly space 13 is omitted). A spool (not shown), around which the fiber bundle to be fed to the screw winding unit 40 is wound, is rotatably mounted on the plurality of spool bearing sections 12.

[0025] The control panel 4 comprises a control device 5, a display section 6, and an operating section 7. The control device 5 is designed to control the operation of each section of the winding device 2. The display section 6 shows winding conditions and the like for the fiber bundle on the substrate L through the winding device 2. An operator inputs the winding conditions and the like to the control device 5 via the operating section 7. [Configuration of the winding device]

[0026] Next, a configuration of the winding device 2 will be determined based on the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 described. The winding device 2 comprises a base 15, a bearing unit 20 (bearing section of the present invention, first bearing unit 21 and second bearing unit 22), a loop winding unit 30 and the screw winding unit 40.

[0027] The base 15 is designed to support the bearing unit 20, the loop winding unit 30, and the screw winding unit 40 (screw winding head of the present invention). The base 15 extends in the front-and-back direction (axial direction of the support L of the present invention). On the base 15, the first bearing unit 21, the loop winding unit 30, the screw winding unit 40, and the second bearing unit 22 are arranged side by side in the front-and-back direction, starting from the front. A plurality of rails 16, extending in the front-and-back direction, are arranged on the top of the base 15. The bearing unit 20 and the loop winding unit 30 are arranged on the rails 16 and configured to be movable along the rails 16 in the front-and-back direction. The loop winding unit 30 is attached to the base 15 at the front end of the arrangement space 13 of the gate stand 3 (see Fig. 1).

[0028] The bearing unit 20 comprises a first bearing unit 21, which is arranged at the front of the loop winding unit 30, and a second bearing unit 22, which is arranged at the rear of the screw winding unit 40. The bearing unit 20 rotatably supports the base L with a bearing shaft 23 extending in the front-and-back direction (axial direction of the base L of the present invention) as its center. The bearing unit 20 includes a motion motor 24, which is designed to move the bearing unit 20 in the front-and-back direction along the rail 16, and a rotary motor 25, which is designed to rotate the base L (see Fig. 3) The motion motor 24 and the rotary motor 25 are driven by the control device 5.

[0029] The loop winding unit 30 performs a loop winding (winding the fiber bundle in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis with the support L) of the fiber bundle with respect to the support L. The loop winding unit 30 comprises a main body section 31 and a rotating element 32. The main body section 31 is arranged on the rails 16 and is designed to rotatably mount the rotating element 32 about the axis of the support L. The rotating element 32 is a circular plate-shaped element. A circular through-hole 34, through which the support L can pass, is formed on a radially central section of the rotating element 32. A plurality of spools 33, around which the fiber bundle is wound, are attached to the loop winding unit 30. The plurality of spools 33 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating element 32.

[0030] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the loop winding unit 30 includes a motion motor 35 designed to move the loop winding unit 30 back and forth along the rails 16, and a rotary motor 36 designed to rotate the rotating element 32. The motion motor 35 and the rotary motor 36 are driven by the control device 5. The control device 5 rotates the rotating element 32 while the loop winding unit 30 moves back and forth along the rails 16, so that the substrate L passes through the through-hole 34. The majority of spools 33 therefore orbit the axis of the substrate L, and the majority of fiber bundles are drawn out from the majority of spools 33. The multiple fiber bundles drawn out are simultaneously wound as a loop onto a surface of the substrate L.

[0031] The screw winding unit 40 performs the screw winding (winding of the fiber bundle in a direction approximately parallel to the front-and-back directions) of the fiber bundle with respect to the substrate L. The screw winding unit 40 comprises a main body section 41, a guide section 42, and the like. The main body section 41 is arranged upright on the base 15. The guide section 42 is designed to guide the majority of fiber bundles to the substrate L. The guide section 32 is attached to a front end of the main body section 41. A circular passage hole 45, through which the substrate L can pass in the front-and-back directions, is formed in a central section in the left-and-right direction of the main body section and the guide section 42. Each of the fiber bundles that are pulled from the plurality of spools arranged in the gate stand 3 is guided through the guide section 42 to the support L.Details of the screw winding unit 40 will be described later.

[0032] The control device 5 controls the rotary motor 25 to rotate the support L, while the bearing unit 20 moves back and forth along the rails 15, so that the support L passes through the through hole 45. This simultaneously winds the multiple fiber bundles helically onto the surface of the support L.

[0033] When a winding process of the fiber bundle onto the base L with the winding device 2 begins, an operator, for example, first secures one yarn end of the fiber bundle to the base L with adhesive tape or the like. Alternatively, a device for automatically securing the yarn end of the fiber bundle or the like can be provided. After the yarn end of the fiber bundle is secured to the base L, the control device 5 controls the drive of each motor 24, 25, 35, 36 (see Fig. 3) Thus, with regard to the base L stored at the storage unit 20, loop winding can be carried out with the loop winding unit 30 and screw winding can be carried out with the screw winding unit 40. [Screw winding unit]

[0034] Now, details of the screw winding unit 40 will be presented based on the Fig. 4 to 6 described. Fig. Figure 4 is a front view of the screw winding unit 40. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line VV of Fig. 4; Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic view of a voltage application section 70, which will be described later.

[0035] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the screw winding unit 40 comprises the main body section 41, the guide section 42, a plurality of auxiliary guides 43, and a tensioning device 44. The guide section 42, the plurality of auxiliary guides 43, and the tensioning device 44 are arranged on a front face of the main body section 41. In the direction of travel (see arrows 101 and 102 of Figure 4), the screw winding unit 40 is arranged on the front face of the main body section 41. Fig. 4, and arrow 104 from Fig. 5) The majority of fiber bundles F are connected to the tension application device 44, the majority of auxiliary guides 43, and the guide section 42, arranged in this order from upstream. The screw winding unit 40 guides the majority of fiber bundles F to the substrate L through the majority of auxiliary guides 43 and the guide section 42, while the tension application device 44 applies a predetermined tension to the majority of fiber bundles F to wind them around the substrate L. The screw winding unit 40 is configured, for example, to wind 16 fiber bundles F around the substrate L at once, but is not limited to this capacity.

[0036] As in the Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the guide section 42 includes a guide element 50 and an opening element 60. The guide element 50 is an annular element and is attached to a front end of the main body section 41. A plurality of openings 51 (16 in the present embodiment) are formed on a circumferential surface of the guide element 50. The 16 openings 51 configure 16 guides 52 (fiber bundle guides of the present invention) for guiding each of the fiber bundles F to the substrate L. The 16 guides 52 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the substrate L (hereinafter simply referred to as the circumferential direction). Each of the 16 fiber bundles F is guided to the substrate L by the 16 guides 52.

[0037] The opening element 60 rubs and opens (i.e., flattens and spreads the width) the fiber bundle F, which is guided by the guide element 50 to the substrate L. The opening element 60 is, for example, a circular plate-shaped metal element. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the opening element 60 is attached to the front end of the guide element 50. The opening element 60 is arranged downstream of the plurality of guides 52 in the direction of travel of the fiber bundle F. The opening element 60 has an inner circumferential surface 61, and a hole 62 is formed by the inner circumferential surface 61, which allows the plurality of fiber bundles F to be inserted from the rear (one side of the present invention) to the front (other side of the present invention). Details of the opening element 60 are described later.

[0038] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the majority of auxiliary guides 43 are arranged on the outer side of the majority of guides 52 in the radial direction of the base L. The majority of auxiliary guides 43 guide the majority of fiber bundles F, to which a tension is applied by the tensioning device 44, towards the guide 52.

[0039] The tension application device 44 applies a predetermined tension to the majority of fiber bundles F. For example, such a tension application device 44 is attached to both left and right sides of the front end of the main body section 41. The two tension application devices 44 each contain eight tension application sections 70 (see Fig. 4), which are designed to apply voltage to the eight fiber bundles F. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, for example, each voltage application section 70 contains three rollers 71, 72, 73 around which the fiber bundle F is placed, in sequence from the upstream side in the direction of travel (see arrow 106 of Figure 6). Fig. 6) of the fiber bundle F. The rollers 71, 72, 73 are configured to be driven in rotation along with the movement of the fiber bundle F. The roller 72, which is positioned between the roller 71 and the roller 73 in the direction of travel of the fiber bundle F, is configured such that, for example, a torque value required for the rotational drive can be set. That is, for the roller 72 to be driven in rotation, a torque greater than or equal to a predetermined value is required (i.e., the frictional force generated between the fiber bundle F and the roller 72 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value). In other words, the fiber bundle F downstream of the tensioning device 44 can be moved by pulling with a predetermined force or greater. The predetermined tension is thus applied to the fiber bundle F when the fiber bundle F moves in this manner.

[0040] In the screw winding unit 40 with the above configuration, tension is applied to the fiber bundle F by the tension application device 44 and it is guided by the auxiliary guides 43 and the guide 52 to the opening element 60 (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) The fiber bundle F, guided through the opening element 60, is rubbed and opened by the inner circumferential surface 61. The opened fiber bundle F is guided through the opening element 60 to the support L and wound around the support L, which moves forward (see arrow 105 of Fig. 5), while it rotates (see arrow 103 of Fig. 4) In other words, the majority of fiber bundles F are brought into contact with the opening element 60 as they run in the front-and-back direction. [Detailed configuration of the opening element]

[0041] Now, a detailed configuration of the opening element 60 of the first version will be shown based on the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 described. Fig. Figure 7A is a perspective view of the opening element 60 when viewed from a rear end side. Fig. Figure 7B is an enlarged view of one of a plurality of opening surfaces 66, which are described later. Fig. 8A is a rear view of the opening element 60. Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view along line VIII(b)-VIII(b) of Fig. 8A.

[0042] As in the Fig. 7A and Fig. As shown in Figure 8A, the inner circumferential surface 61 of the opening element 60 contains 16 opening surfaces 66 arranged at equal intervals around the circumference. These 16 opening surfaces 66 guide the 16 fiber bundles F, which run forward and backward toward the substrate L, rubbing against each bundle. The number of opening surfaces 66 is equal to the number of fiber bundles F that are all guided to the substrate L at once, similar to the guide 52 (see Figure 8A). Fig. 4) of the guide element 50 described above.

[0043] The shape of the opening surface 66 will now be described. The opening surface 66 extends from a rear end surface of side 64 (see Fig. 8B) of the opening element 60 to the front and the radially inner side up to a central section in the front-and-back direction of the inner circumferential surface 61 (see thick line of Fig. 8B). As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8B, the opening surface 66 has a rounded shape that is smoothly curved from the rear end surface 64 to the front and the radially inner side. In particular, the opening surface 66 is shaped such that the distance to a center decreases in the radial direction of the inner circumferential surface 61, and is convex towards the center in the radial direction of the inner circumferential surface 61 from the rear to the front. A front side section 67 (see thick line of Figure 8B) Fig. 8B) The inner circumferential surface 61 also has a rounded shape from a front end surface 63 to the rear.

[0044] Furthermore, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 7B, a line orthogonal to the front-and-back direction of the opening surface 66 is linear at every position in the front-and-back direction (see continuous lines 108, 109 and double-chain lines 110 to 112). In other words, a cross-section orthogonal to the front-and-back direction of the opening surface 66 has a linear shape. That is, the fiber bundle F (see Fig. 7A), which passes through the hole 62 of the opening element 60 in the front-and-back direction, can run in the direction orthogonal to the linear section of the opening surface 66. Therefore, the opening surface 66 has a linear shape in the direction (circumference direction) orthogonal to the front-and-back direction and is curved in the front-and-back direction.

[0045] As described above, the inner circumferential surface 61 of the opening element 60 has a configuration in which 16 opening surfaces 66 are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction. That is, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 8A, the inner circumferential surface 61 has a hexagonal shape when the opening element 60 is viewed from the front and back directions. Each side 65 of the hexagon is contained within each opening surface 66. In other words, each side 65 configures each opening surface 66.

[0046] Furthermore, as in the Fig. 7A and Fig. As shown in Figure 8A, a projection 68 (a regulating section of the present invention) is arranged between two opening surfaces 66 that are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The projection 68 regulates the moving fiber bundle F, while it is in contact with the opening surface 66, from moving in the circumferential direction. The projection 68 is alternately aligned with the opening surface 66 in the circumferential direction. In other words, each opening surface 66 is accommodated between two projections 68 in the circumferential direction. The projection 68 faces the radially inner side of the rear end (see solid line 108 of Figure 8A). Fig. 7B) of the opening surface 66 outwards and faces the rear of a radially inner end (see continuous line 109 of Fig. 7B) of the opening surface. The projection 68 is formed by a part of the opening element 60. The projection 68 is formed simultaneously with the formation of the opening surfaces 66, for example, when the radially inner side section is removed from the rear end of the opening element 60 during manufacturing. [Opening of the fiber bundle by the opening element]

[0047] Now the opening of the fiber bundle F through the opening element 60 with the configuration described above is determined based on the Fig. 7A and Fig. 9 described. Fig. Figure 9A is a view showing the opening element 60 and a cross-section of the fiber bundle F opened by the opening element 60. Fig. 9B is a view showing an opening element 160 and a cross-section of the fiber bundle F opened by the opening element 160, where the inner circumferential surface has a circular cross-section.

[0048] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7A, the fiber bundle runs from the rear of the opening element 60 to the front and radially inner side (see arrow 107). As described above, the fiber bundle F is brought into contact with the opening surface 66 of the inner circumferential surface 61 while tension is applied by the tensioning device 44, and is rubbed through and opened by the opening surface 66. If the opening element has an inner circumferential surface 161 with a circular cross-section, as in Figure 7A, the fiber bundle is then opened by the fiber bundle F. Fig. As shown in Figure 9B, the fiber bundle F is rubbed while making contact with the arc-shaped surface, and thus it is less likely to flatten and spread out in the lateral (circumferential) direction, even when opened. Therefore, a gap can easily form between the fiber bundles F in the circumferential direction. Since, in this respect, the opening element 60 of the present invention has a linear cross-section orthogonal to the front-and-back direction of the opening surface 66, the opened fiber bundle F is easily flattened and easily spread out significantly in the lateral direction, as shown in Figure 9B. Fig. 9A is shown.

[0049] Furthermore, as described above, the opening surface 66 has a curved shape in the front and back directions, and therefore the fiber bundle F runs smoothly along the opening surface 66. This prevents damage to the fiber bundle F that occurs when the fiber bundle F rubs against the opening surface 66. Since the projection 68 between two opening surfaces 66 is also formed in the circumferential direction, the movement of the fiber bundle in the circumferential direction is regulated. This prevents the fiber bundle F from shifting away from the opening surface 66.

[0050] As described above, the cross-section orthogonal to the front-and-back direction of the opening surface 66 has a linear shape, and therefore the fiber bundle that comes into contact with the opening surface 66 can be flattened as it runs in the front-and-back direction, and each fiber bundle F can be strongly spread in the lateral direction. Therefore, the width of the fiber bundle can be easily spread during opening.

[0051] Furthermore, since each side 65 of a polygon formed in the inner circumferential surface 61 configures each opening surface 66, the entire inner circumferential surface 61 can be used as the opening surface 66. Thus, the opening surface 66 can be made as large as possible in the circumferential direction, and the fiber bundle can be spread as far as possible during operation. Moreover, because the number of opening surfaces 66 and the number of guides 52 are equal, the plurality of opening surfaces 66 and the plurality of fiber bundles F can correspond one-to-one, allowing a fiber bundle F to be rubbed against an opening surface 66. Therefore, the plurality of fiber bundles F can be aligned without a gap in the circumferential direction, and the plurality of fiber bundles F can be wound easily and uniformly around the base L.Furthermore, since the majority of fiber bundles F do not need to be rubbed simultaneously with only one opening area 66, mutual interference of the fiber bundles F can be avoided.

[0052] Each opening surface 66 has a convex, curved shape towards the center in the radial direction in both the front and back directions. Thus, the fiber bundle F running in the front and back directions can be arranged so that it lies smoothly along the opening surface 66. Therefore, damage to the fiber bundle F can be avoided.

[0053] Furthermore, the projection 68 prevents the fiber bundle from shifting circumferentially. Therefore, it prevents the majority of fiber bundles F from wrapping around the support L in a position displaced from their intended position. Additionally, if the majority of fiber bundles F are wrapped around the support L, it prevents some fiber bundles F from unintentionally overlapping. Moreover, it prevents gaps from forming circumferentially between some fiber bundles F.

[0054] An alternative implementation, modified from the first, is now described. However, in the implementation described above, similar configurations are designated with the same reference symbols, and their descriptions are omitted where necessary.

[0055] In the first embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 61 of the opening element 60, viewed from the front and back directions, has a sixteen-sided shape, but this is not the only case. In other words, the number of sides 65 can be changed according to the number of fiber bundles F to be wound around the substrate L at one time. Alternatively, the inner circumferential surface 61, viewed from the front and back directions, need not have a polygonal shape. In other words, the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the front and back directions of the opening surface 66 only needs to be linear, and the cross-section of the other sections can also be curved.

[0056] In the first embodiment, the opening element 60 is attached to the front end of the guide element 50, but this is not the only case. For example, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the opening element 60 can also be attached to both the front and rear sides of the guide element 50 in a screw winding unit 40a. An opening element 60a attached to the front end of the guide element 50 and an opening element 60b attached to the rear end of the guide element 50 (i.e., between the guide element 50 and the main body section 41 in the front-to-back direction) are symmetrical at the front and rear. In this configuration, the opening element 60 to be used can be reversed according to the running direction (front, back) of the base L.

[0057] In the first embodiment, the projection 68, which is provided in the opening element 60 between two adjacent opening surfaces 66, is formed by a part of the opening element 60, but this is not the only case. In other words, a regulating section, designed to regulate the movement of the fiber bundle F in the circumferential direction, and the opening element 60 can also be formed by separate elements.

[0058] In the first embodiment, the regulating section, such as the projection 68, is provided in the opening element 60 between two adjacent opening surfaces 66, but this is not the only case. In other words, the regulating section does not need to be provided.

[0059] In the first embodiment, the opening surface 66 of the opening element 60 has a rounded shape, but this is not the only case. In other words, the opening surface 66 can also have a curved shape other than the rounded one. Alternatively, the opening surface 66 does not necessarily have to have a curved shape and can, for example, also have a flat shape with an inclination with respect to the axial direction.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the number of opening surfaces 66 of the opening element 60 and the number of guides 52 of the guide element 50 are the same, but these numbers can also differ. For example, the number of opening surfaces 66 can be less than the number of fiber bundles F to be wound around the base L at once. Furthermore, if the number of fiber bundles F to be wound around the base L at once is large, a configuration can be used in which the majority of the fiber bundles F are rubbed simultaneously with only one opening surface 66.

[0061] The configuration of the voltage application device 44 is not limited to those used in Fig.Figure 6 shows the configuration and simply needs to be capable of applying a voltage to the fiber bundle F. Furthermore, the voltage application device 44 does not necessarily need to be attached to the screw winding unit 40.

Claims

[1] Thread winding device (1), which comprises: a bearing section (20) designed to rotatably support a base (L) and to be movable in the axial direction of the base (L); and a screw winding head (40) configured to wind a plurality of fiber bundles (F) onto the base (L) moving in the axial direction while it rotates; wherein the screw winding head (40) contains: a plurality of fiber bundle guides (52) arranged in the circumferential direction of the base (L) and designed to guide each of a plurality of fiber bundles (F) supplied to the screw winding head (40) to the base (L), and an opening member (60) arranged downstream of the plurality of fiber bundle guides (52) in the running direction of the fiber bundle (F) and including an inner peripheral surface (61) for forming a hole (62) through which the plurality of fiber bundles (F) are inserted from one side to the other side in the axial direction; wherein a plurality of opening surfaces (66) to which the plurality of fiber bundles (F) running from one side to the other side in the axial direction make contact and which act to flatten and spread the fiber bundles (F) are formed on the inner peripheral surface (61) of the opening element (60); and wherein a cross-sectional shape of each opening surface (66) is linear in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction; characterized by , that each opening surface (66) has a curved shape in which a distance to the center in the radial direction of the inner peripheral surface becomes smaller from one side to the other end side in the axial direction and is convex toward the center in the radial direction. [2] Thread winding device (1), which comprises: a bearing section (20) designed to rotatably support a base (L) and to be movable in the axial direction of the base (L); and a screw winding head (40) configured to wind a plurality of fiber bundles (F) onto the base (L) moving in the axial direction while it rotates; wherein the screw winding head (40) contains: a plurality of fiber bundle guides (52) arranged in the circumferential direction of the base (L) and designed to guide each of a plurality of fiber bundles (F) supplied to the screw winding head (40) to the base (L), and an opening member (60) arranged downstream of the plurality of fiber bundle guides (52) in the running direction of the fiber bundle (F) and including an inner peripheral surface (61) for forming a hole (62) through which the plurality of fiber bundles (F) are inserted from one side to the other side in the axial direction; wherein a plurality of opening surfaces (66) to which the plurality of fiber bundles (F) running from one side to the other side in the axial direction make contact and which act to flatten and spread the fiber bundles (F) are formed on the inner peripheral surface (61) of the opening element (60); and wherein a cross-sectional shape of each opening surface (66) is linear in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, characterized by , that the inner peripheral surface (61) has a polygonal shape when viewed from the axial direction; each side of the polygon (65) configures each opening surface (66); and a number of the plurality of opening surfaces (66) is equal to a number of the plurality of fiber bundle guides (52), and each opening surface (66) has a curved shape in which a distance to a center in the radial direction of the inner peripheral surface becomes smaller and is convex to the center in the radial direction from one side to the other side in the axial direction. [3] The thread winding device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a regulating section (68) designed to regulate a movement of the fiber bundle (F) in the circumferential direction is provided between two opening surfaces (66) adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction.

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